Latest news with #FrançoisBayrou
France 24
26-05-2025
- France 24
Untouchable for too long: Surgeon Le Scouarnec in France's biggest serial rape trial
France 43:14 From the show With 299 victims over 25 years, why wasn't serial rapist Joel Le Scouarnec stopped sooner? Closing arguments in the trial of the 74-year old surgeon in the westen French city of Vannes. We'll ask about a man convicted of purchasing paedophile porn online two decades ago and yet investigators failed to uncover worse crimes and the medical board allowed him to continue to practice. France's largest-ever sex abuse trial concludes as the nation discovers decades of abuse at the Betarrame Catholic school in the southwest, a school attended by the children of the current prime minister, François Bayrou whose wife worked at the school. He insistently denies knowing at the time. At what point does it become a cover-up and when does deference cross a line in a nation where children are taught to obey authority figures? Most important are the victims. On the stand, Joel Le Scouarnec eventually confessed. But to plaintiffs, his answers sounded mechanical. Why is it so often the victims who feel the shame? Two of them of them comittted suicide. How to ovecome that shame and find closure? Produced by Théophile Vareille, Elisa Amiri, Ilayda Habip.
Local France
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local France
Latest: French farmer tractor protests restart, while taxi drivers target airports
Monday sees the convergence of two nationwide protests in France, both targeting roads. Taxi drivers have decided to extend last week's protests - which are about changes to the fare structure for medical transport - meanwhile farming unions have called for a restart of the protests over a planned new agricultural law. They are also angry that aid offered to them last year has still not materialised. Both groups are using the same method - using their vehicles to create blockades or rolling roadblocks (known as opération escargot ) to cause severe traffic disruption. Last week action from taxi drivers caused tailbacks of 450km in the Paris region. Farmers Farmers will once again be mounting tractor convoys, focusing on autoroutes and other main roads for go-slow actions. Advertisement Monday will see an especially large turnout in the greater Paris region, with the tractors gradually converging on the French parliament in order to stage a protest. ON Monday morning severe disruption was reported on multiple autoroutes in the greater Paris region, including the RN118, RN12, RN14 and RN20. In other parts of France, protests are planned at the préfecture - unions in Sarthe, Aisne, Ardennes and Marne have confirmed protest plans, others are likely to follow. It is therefore likely that there will be severe traffic disruption and road closures in the vicinity of the préfecture in multiple towns. Taxi drivers Last week's protests were initially planned to end on Friday - that was later extended until Sunday and then into this week, after an unsatisfactory meeting over the weekend with prime minister François Bayrou. Drivers unions say that this week their blockades will be focused on specific targets - namely Paris' two airports and the Roland Garros tennis ground, where the French Open tournament is currently underway. "From Monday, in the absence of progress, Paris international airports, Charles de Gaulle and Orly, will be blocked by taxis, and we will also take care of Roland Garros," Emmanuelle Cordier, president of the National Taxi Federation (FNDT), told France Info radio. Alternatives These protests are heavily targeted at the road network - so drivers should leave extra time for journeys, especially in the Paris region, and be prepared for delays and traffic jams. They do not affect public transport, which will run as normal - both of Paris' airports and the Roland Garros ground are accessible via public transport - the airports are connected to the city via RER B while Orly is also on Metro line 14 and the T7 tram. Roland Garros is on Metro lines 9 or 10. Advertisement Although not all taxi drivers are joining the protests it will be likely harder to get a taxi. However TVC vehicles such as Uber, Bolt or Heetch are not involved in the protests - although they practice surge pricing so rides may be more expensive than usual.
Local France
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Inside France: Taxi strikes, translation fails and Napoleon's code
Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article. Boiling point Sometimes in France you get disputes that simmer away in the background for ages and then suddenly erupt onto the national stage. Last year's farmer protests were one example - suddenly going from turning village signposts upside down to nationwide roadblocks and calls to 'besiege Paris' - and this week's taxi protests are another. Taxi drivers have been protesting for more than a year about plans to lower the fares they can charge for medical transport; taking patients to and from medical appointments in trips that are reimbursed by the state . This week, however, their grievances exploded into the public consciousness via a series of rolling roadblocks, blockades of sites like airports and highly photogenic confrontations with police . PM François Bayrou has now said he will meet with them to discuss their grievances. At the opposite end of the spectrum are strikes that are billed as likely to cause absolute mayhem, and end up being quite underwhelming. These are often public sector strikes, especially transport strikes, which are talked up in advance by union chiefs - predicting une semaine noire is a standard part of the negotiating process. There are a whole group of strike/protest soothsayers in France who try to predict where the next disruption will come from, but it's far from a precise science, although there are signs you can learn to read . READ ALSO How I learned to stop worrying and love French strikes Advertisement Talking France In the latest episode of the Talking France podcast we discuss hospital waiting times, the UK-EU reset and the best place to buy a second home in France (plus Smurfs). Listen here or on the link below. Napoleon is complex Here at The Local we're used to slightly left-field questions from readers, but this one was unusual: Why does France still have the Napoleonic Code? The answer is that it doesn't, really - the civil law code introduced by Napoleon in 1804 has in many areas been revised or rewritten, or superceded by more recent laws or international treaties like the European Convention on Human Rights. Some parts of it remain in place, however, especially France's strict laws on inheritance rights (which, it turned out, this reader was referring to) which forbid parents from disinheriting their children and give kids equal rights to a parental estate, regardless of where they are in the birth order. At the time this was quite radical, moving away from the previous 'oldest son inherits all' system, and in fact there are several parts of the Napoleonic code that remain the basis for modern French law. In many areas, however, the Napoleonic code reversed laws passed after the French Revolution. But to modern sensibilities, it was the legal changes of the Revolution that seem more palatable; legalising homosexuality, outlawing slavery, giving women legal and property rights. Even the machine that became the symbol of the nightmare that the Revolution descended into was introduced for humanitarian reasons. The guillotine was intended as a humane method of execution and its introduction was part of a legal code that ended barbaric practices like boiling people to death or having them torn apart by horses and ensured a single execution method for all, regardless of class. It also ended the practice of confiscating property from the families of executed criminals. Advertisement Offaly unfortunate And is this France's least appetisingly named restaurant? Paris restaurant Bowel Kitchen. Photo: The Local A close look at the menu reveals it serves various types of Bowls, so I am persuaded that its name is just an extremely unfortunate spelling mistake. Although I'm not confident enough to back when it's open and try its cuisine (if anyone has eaten at the Bowel Kitchen, do get in touch and tell me what it was like!) Inside France is our weekly look at some of the news, talking points and gossip in France that you might not have heard about. It's published each Saturday and members can receive it directly to their inbox, by going to their newsletter preferences or adding their email to the sign-up box in this article.
Saba Yemen
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Paris: Move to recognize Palestinian state "will not stop"
Paris - Saba: French Prime Minister François Bayrou affirmed on Tuesday that the move to recognize a Palestinian state, as intended by France, the United Kingdom, and Canada, "will not stop." According to Agence France-Presse, Bayrou told the National Assembly during a government question session, "For the first time, three major countries—Britain, France, Canada—have decided that they will jointly oppose what is happening" in the Gaza Strip and "together recognize the State of Palestine." He added that "this movement that has been launched will not stop." Bayrou added, "We cannot leave the children of Gaza a legacy of violence and hatred. Therefore, all of this must stop, and that is why we are determined to recognize the State of Palestine." He emphasized that the situation in Gaza is "unbearable because the blind violence and the Israeli government's prevention of the entry of humanitarian aid, turning Gaza into a place where people are dying—not to mention a cemetery—is an absolute violation of all rules of international law." Bayrou reiterated his call for the Israeli occupation to allow the entry of humanitarian aid "in large quantities" and "without hindrance." Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
Al Bawaba
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
France, UK, and Canada move to recognize Palestinian state
ALBAWABA- French Prime Minister François Bayrou confirmed Tuesday that France, along with the United Kingdom and Canada, is preparing to jointly recognize the State of Palestine, a move he said marks a decisive and irreversible shift in international diplomacy. Speaking before the National Assembly, and reported by Al Arabiya, Bayrou declared, 'For the first time, three major nations—France, Britain, and Canada- have decided to stand together, object to the ongoing events in Gaza, and recognize the State of Palestine.' He emphasized that 'this process has begun, and it will not stop.' رئيس وزراء فرنسا: سنعترف مع بريطانيا وكندا بدولة فلسطين — العربية (@AlArabiya) May 20, 2025 Bayrou's remarks came in response to a question from Mathilde Panot, leader of the France Unbowed parliamentary group, who pressed him on whether France would proceed with recognition 'now that so few Palestinians remain,' about the widespread devastation in Gaza. The trilateral initiative follows increasing frustration among Western leaders over Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip. On Monday, leaders from France, the UK, and Canada warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government of potential 'concrete actions' should the offensive continue and humanitarian access remain blocked. Bayrou reiterated France's commitment to a two-state solution, asserting that recent Israeli actions in Gaza were 'humanely unacceptable.' While acknowledging that the October 7 Hamas-led attack was a spark for the current conflict, he underscored the disproportionate impact on civilians in Gaza. 'The humanitarian situation that has developed is intolerable,' he said. In a parallel statement earlier Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that Paris is moving forward with plans to recognize Palestinian statehood. Speaking to France Inter radio, Barrot described the decision as being 'in the best interest of both Palestinians and Israelis,' and part of a broader effort to promote a lasting political solution. 'We cannot allow Gaza's children to inherit a legacy of hatred and endless violence,' Barrot said. 'This is why France is committed to recognizing the State of Palestine.' Barrot added that the French government is actively working to help achieve a viable political resolution, one that not only restores Palestinian rights but also ensures Israeli security.
